Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona

Miss Mae tells us about the enchanted Yaqui Flower World.

The Flower World

Miss Mae tells us about some Yaqui traditions and what happened to the Yaqui when the Spanish arrived, and later under the Mexican government.

Yaqui Traditions and Colonization

Miss Mae teaches us about the Hiak Pahko ceremony.

Hiak Pahko

Miss Mae tells us about the story of the Talking Tree and it’s prophecy for the future of the Yaqui.

The Talking Tree and the Surem

Miss Mae introduces us to the Pascua Yaqui people and where they live. 

Introduction to the Pascua Yaqui

Miss Mae teaches us about Pascola Masks and the symbolism on them.

Pascola Masks

Meet your tour guide, Miss Mae, to discuss anthropology and culture, research and the scientific process, and Native Nations of Arizona to prepare for your virtual Muse2You exhibit tour about the O'odham. 

What is Anthropology?

Miss Mae introduces you to Pascua Yaqui history and culture on this virtual exhibit tour at the Arizona State Museum.

ASM Muse2You Paths of Life video tours created by Larea Lewis and produced by Larea Lewis and Lisa Falk, 2021. Museums for Digital Learning ASM Paths of Life resource kits produced by Sarah Willwater and Lisa Falk, 2022.

Paths of Life Tour: The Pascua Yaqui, an Indigenous Nation in Arizona and Mexico

Civics and Government

Social Studies

Geography

U.S. History

World History

Writing: History/Social Studies

English Language Arts

Visual Arts

The Arts

Spanish

World Languages

Background Information on the Yaqui

Yaqui vocabulary used on this virtual tour.

Whose Land Are You On?

Website of the Pascua Yaqui

What is the Yaqui word for “people”? 

What is the name of the Yaqui traditional homeland? 

Where are the Yaqui traditional homelands located?

What is the name of the major river that runs through the Yaqui traditional lands?

Who established the eight missions along the Río Yaqui and when did this happen? 

What are the five enchanted worlds of the Yaqui?

What cultural objects do the Yaqui use to communicate to the enchanted worlds and how do they used them?

Yaquis (YAH kee) are a Uto-Aztecan speaking people whose homeland is the Yaqui River valley of Southern Sonora. They call themselves Hiaki or Yoemem (yo EM mem), meaning “the People." Their nearest neighbors in Sonora are the Mayos, with whom they share many customs and beliefs. 

Culture is an important element with all Yaqui communities. It is bonded together with Christianity and Yaqui spirituality, in the hope for a better view of the world and morality. An example of Yaqui spirituality is the iconic symbol of the deer and the deer dancer, who mimics the connection the Yaqui people have to nature. Yaqui spiritual values are based in the merging of the two faiths, as well as the traditional ceremonial practices, along with adaptations to modern ways. This combination preserves what make a Yaqui, Hiaki (Yaqui).

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe is a federally recognized tribe and sovereign nation. 

This information is drawn from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe's website and the ASM 

(For more information on the Pascua Yaqui, visit their website linked below.)

Move around and zoom in on this map of traditional Yaqui lands in what is today the U.S.A. and Mexico.

Can you name the eight Yaqui Pueblos? (Hint: look along the Rio Yaqui.)

Where are the Yaqui settlements in Arizona located?

The other pueblos (towns or settlements) in green are where the Mayo tribe live. The Mayo have similar cultural traditions as the Yaqui. The Mayo do not have settlements in the United States.

(For more information on Indigenous lands around the world, see the website "Whose Land Are You On?" linked below)

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Paths of Life Tour: The Pascua Yaqui, an Indigenous Nation in Arizona and Mexico

Introduction to the Pascua Yaqui

Discussion Questions